The term quarantine may sound scary, when in fact, it is a simple precaution to protect yourself and others from infectious diseases. If you live in an area affected by an infectious disease, such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic, health authorities may advise you to keep your distance from other people or limit time in public to protect yourself and others. If you are sick and exposed to an illness, you may have to quarantine or self-isolate at home until the risk of infectious disease is reduced. Keep in touch with your doctor and keep in touch with friends and family to reduce worry and stress while waiting for the quarantine period to end.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Protecting Yourself by Social Distancing
Step 1. Stay at least 2 m away from the person who looks sick
Many diseases can be passed on to people as long as they are around sick people, even if they are not in physical contact. This can happen when a sick person coughs or sneezes, causing droplets of saliva or mucus from his mouth and nose to be inhaled by those around him. So, during the current epidemic, avoid touching and always try to keep a distance of at least 2 meters from other people, especially those who show symptoms of illness such as coughing or sneezing.
According to the US health authority, the CDC, you are at risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus if you are less than 2 meters away from an infected person for a long period of time (more than a few minutes), a sick person coughs at you, or lives with an infected person. -19
Step 2. Wash your hands frequently while in public
Washing your hands is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect yourself and others from spreading disease. If you are in public or other places where you are susceptible to illness, wash your hands frequently with warm water (if possible) and soap. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, including between your fingers, back of your hands, and wrists.
- You should wash your hands especially after going to the bathroom, touching frequently touched surfaces (such as doorknobs, banisters, and light switches), and before preparing food, or touching your face.
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to clean your hands.
Step 3. Keep your hands away from your face as much as possible
There are many viruses and germs that can enter the body through the mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, and mouth. To prevent this from happening, avoid touching your face as much as possible. Your hands may have touched a contaminated surface or object.
- If you have to touch your face, wash your hands before and after with soap and water.
- If possible, just use a tissue when touching, scratching, or wiping any area of your face. Throw away the tissue when you're done.
Step 4. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough
Even if you don't feel sick, you should protect others and model the proper way to sneeze and cough. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue and throw it away immediately. When finished, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.
If you don't have a tissue or you're in a hurry, bend your elbows to cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze. Don't use your palms. That way, you won't spread viruses or germs when you touch objects
Step 5. Avoid crowds if you are at high risk or advised by health authorities
In some cases, such as in Indonesia today, large events may be canceled and people may be restricted to public places to prevent the spread of disease. You also need to avoid crowds and public places if you are prone to infection. Avoid crowds as much as possible.
- For example, the Governor of DKI Jakarta has appealed to people not to leave their homes unless it is absolutely essential and to hold meetings remotely as much as possible.
- If your doctor or local health authority advises you to stay at home, prepare the necessary materials such as medicines, groceries, sanitary equipment such as tissues, etc.
Step 6. Heed the advice to stay away from trusted health sites
If you live in an area affected by an outbreak of an infectious disease, such as COVID-19, visit your local health website for the latest information. This site should provide information on how to protect yourself from disease as well as how to keep your distance from others.
- For example, visit https://corona.jakarta.go.id/ or https://corona.jogjaprov.go.id/ etc.
- You can also seek information from the Ministry of Health or the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Your local health authority may recommend that you keep your distance from other people, especially those who are susceptible to illness, such as the elderly or people with compromised immune systems. Local governments may also cancel large-sized events and even temporarily suspend school activities if there is evidence of a risk of disease spreading.
Method 2 of 4: Self Quarantine after Exposure to Disease
Step 1. Self-quarantine if you have been in contact with an infected person
If you know that you have been around someone who is infected with a dangerous disease such as the COVID-19 coronavirus, you should self-quarantine to protect yourself and others. If you suspect you have been exposed to an infectious disease during an outbreak, contact your doctor or health care facility and ask if you need to self-quarantine.
You may receive notification of potential transmission of disease from your school, company, or local health authority. Take this notice seriously and don't be afraid to ask questions if you don't know what to do
Step 2. Call your doctor or local hotline immediately if you suspect you are sick
If you suspect you have been exposed to an illness such as COVID-19, and are starting to experience suspicious symptoms, please contact your local health care facility and describe your situation. Your doctor may ask you to come in for an examination, and may require you to self-quarantine.
- For example, immediately contact a health care facility or corona hotline center if you experience symptoms such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, especially if you live in an area affected by COVID-19 infection.
- Do not come to the hospital immediately without contacting them first if you suspect you are infected with the corona virus. They may have to prepare special equipment to protect themselves and other patients from transmitting the disease.
Step 3. Stay at home for 14 days or as directed by your doctor
The recommended self-quarantine period is 2 weeks. During this time, you can observe symptoms and determine if you are a risk to the health of others. If your doctor recommends that you self-quarantine, ask how long you should stay at home.
If you develop symptoms and are officially diagnosed with an infectious disease such as COVID-19, you may have to stay home for more than 2 weeks
Step 4. Avoid contact with other people and animals as much as possible
During the quarantine period, you must take good care of yourself so as not to risk spreading the disease to others. Even if you don't have any symptoms, avoid seeing guests and keep your distance from those who live with you. Limit time with pets as much as possible, including avoiding cuddling, petting, feeding, and bathing them.
- Decide on a room, such as a bedroom, for your use only. Other people living in the house should stay away from the room unless absolutely necessary. If possible, don't share the same bathroom with other people.
- If you order food or groceries to be delivered home, ask a courier to drop it at your doorstep.
- If you have pets, ask a friend or other person at home to care for them until your quarantine is over. If you have to interact with pets, make sure you wash your hands before and after, and wear a mask.
Step 5. Wear a mask if you must be around other people
Even if you don't experience any symptoms, wearing a mask during quarantine can reduce the risk of spreading the disease to others. So, wear a mask when guests visit you, family members enter your room, or when you have to leave the house for medical treatment.
- If you can't get a mask due to scarcity, you can cover your nose and mouth with a scarf or handkerchief.
- Everyone who enters your room or needs to approach you during quarantine must also wear a mask.
Know:
Although previously the World Health Organization (WHO) did not recommend the use of masks by the public to protect themselves from the COVID-19 outbreak, currently the BNPB's Task Force for the Acceleration of Handling Covid-19 recommends everyone to wear cloth masks during activities in public places and interact with other people..
Step 6. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
Protect yourself and others from the potential spread of disease during quarantine by washing your hands regularly. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, especially after sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose, after going to the bathroom, and before preparing food or eating.
If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
Step 7. Cover your mouth and nose whenever you cough or sneeze
When coughing or sneezing, prevent the spread of contaminated fluids by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue. If you don't have a tissue, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze with the crook of your elbow.
Don't let used wipes splatter everywhere. Immediately dispose of these tissues in a trash can lined with a plastic bag and then wash your hands with soap and water
Step 8. Clean the objects and surfaces you touch with a disinfectant
Once a day, use a household cleaning product such as disinfectant wipes or an all-purpose cleaner to clean surfaces you touch frequently. For example, doorknobs, table tops, door knobs, and toilet seats.
Wash anything that gets into your mouth, such as cutlery or thermometers with soap and hot water
Step 9. Observe your condition closely and seek medical attention if there are any changes
During quarantine, watch for signs of illness or if your condition worsens. If you experience new symptoms or if your symptoms get worse, call your doctor immediately and seek advice.
Describe in detail what type of symptoms you had, when you started experiencing them, and what medications you've been taking if any (eg over-the-counter medications)
Method 3 of 4: Self-Isolating if Sick
Step 1. Ask your doctor if you can go home or need to be hospitalized
If you are confirmed to be infected with an infectious disease such as COVID-19, your doctor will evaluate your case specifically and make recommendations based on your condition. Ask if you can go home, and if so, if you need to self-isolate until you recover.
If your doctor considers your condition stable enough to allow you to go home, ask for specific self-care instructions during the isolation period. If you have friends or family caring for you, share this information with your doctor as well
Step 2. Stay home unless you need medical help
If you are sick, you must stay at home and rest as much as possible. Resting at home will help you recover faster while protecting others from contracting the same disease. Do not go to work or school, avoid using public transport when visiting the doctor as much as possible.
- Contact the hospital or health care facility first before coming. Tell your diagnosis and describe the symptoms you are experiencing.
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If you need groceries, order them online for delivery to your home. Don't shop during isolation.
Step 3. Stay in the room as much as possible if you live with other people
If you can, stay in the room and don't let anyone, including visitors, family members, and pets in. If possible, use a separate bathroom from others in the house.
- Have someone else take care of your pet if possible. This is especially important if you are infected with COVID-19, which can be transmitted to animals and humans.
- So that no one has to enter your room, ask them to put your food and everything you need at the door.
- Instead, choose a room with windows that can be opened.
Step 4. Wear a mask if you must interact with other people
If you are too weak to care for yourself, wear a mask for everyone who helps you into the room. You should also wear a mask if you have to leave the house (eg to go to the doctor).
- Ask the person helping you to wear a mask too while you are around.
- If there are no masks due to scarcity in your area, cover your nose and mouth with a handkerchief or scarf instead.
Step 5. Get in the habit of maintaining good hygiene to prevent the spread of disease
During isolation, keep your surroundings clean and take precautions to avoid transmitting the disease to other people in your home. You can keep your loved ones safe by:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose, or using the bathroom.
- Cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Immediately throw the used tissue into the trash can lined with a plastic bag.
- Do not share personal equipment with others, including towels, medical equipment (such as thermometers, measuring cups), plates, spoons, forks, combs, razors, and sheets.
- Disinfect objects and surfaces you touch frequently, such as doorknobs, tables, and toilet seats.
Step 6. Call your doctor immediately if your symptoms change or get worse
While you are in isolation, you or the person caring for you should closely monitor the progress of your condition. If you experience new symptoms, or your symptoms get worse or do not improve after the expected time, contact your doctor immediately. The doctor will advise on the next step of treatment.
Call the corona virus hotline center at number 119 ext 9 or the hotline center in your area if you need help. Tell your diagnosis if possible so they can take the necessary precautions.
Step 7. Work with your doctor to find out when you can come out of self-isolation
The length of self-isolation is determined by your particular situation and symptoms. Even if you feel much better, stay home until the doctor says it's safe. This step will protect you and others around you.
Your doctor may need to first consult with your local health authority to determine the best period of isolation for you
Method 4 of 4: Undergoing Self Quarantine
Step 1. Remember that it's normal to feel different emotions during self-quarantine
Facing a dangerous disease outbreak is scary and stressful. Having to go into self-quarantine will make those feelings even worse. Feelings of fear, sadness, frustration, loneliness, worry, or even anger over what is happening are normal. If you experience these feelings, try to acknowledge them without judging yourself.
Not feeling this is even natural. Everyone's reaction to scary situations is different
Keep in mind:
If these feelings are overwhelming or you've been stressed for 2 weeks or more and don't get better, you may need additional help. Call your doctor or psychologist to help you.
Step 2. Call your doctor if you have any concerns or questions
If you're feeling scared or unsure about what's going on, your doctor may be able to help calm your concerns. Don't hesitate to contact your health care facility or doctor if you have any questions.
They may refer you to useful online sources of information
Step 3. Contact the company you work for if you are concerned about not being paid
Not entering the office because you have to undergo self-quarantine, self-isolation, or keeping a distance from other people can make your finances disrupted. If you're worried, try discussing this with your boss at work. Explain why you can't come to work and provide a doctor's note if necessary.
- Some companies may allow their employees to be absent from the office due to quarantine or isolation due to illness.
- Some companies may also allow their employees to work from home during self-quarantine.
- Try contacting your internet service provider and explain your situation. They may provide special services such as free internet quota for those working or studying from home during self-quarantine.
Step 4. Keep in touch with your friends and family
Being in quarantine and isolation can make you feel very lonely. Being alone during illness or fear of contracting an illness can also add to anxiety or frustration. Reach out to friends and loved ones by phone, email, social media, or video calls to reduce your loneliness.
In addition to listening to your story and helping reduce feelings of loneliness and boredom, friends and family can help you too. Don't be afraid to ask them to deliver food or groceries home, look after pets while you're in quarantine, or do chores you can't do
Step 5. Do activities that can relieve stress so that you are more relaxed
To reduce boredom, anxiety, and frustration, find simple and fun activities that you can do while at home. These activities include:
- Watching TV or movies
- Read
- Listening to music
- Playing games
- Meditate or do light stretches or yoga
- Making crafts
- A little house cleaning
Tips
Site contains useful information about COVID-19 and social distancing:
- CDC, USA:
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World Health Organization (WHO)
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National Institutes of Health:
Public Health England:
